observation in objectivity
there’s a lot of talk about how the new president of the united states is going to answer all our ‘hopes’ and create a truly ‘changed’ life in the u.s. at least i’m not alone in thinking those sorts of claims are bogus. i found an acute speculation on his cabinet and chief staffpersons, and it only confirms my suspicions that although his incoming presidency may precipitate a genuine change in the cultural landscape of the country, it points to business as usual in all other aspects of politics. For example:
Noticeably absent - anyone representing ordinary people. Workers, homeowners, the unemployed, the disadvantaged, the poor who’ve been hurt the most by Wall Street’s-caused financial crisis now morphed into the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Their omission is clear evidence where Obama’s administration is headed, where his allegiance lies, and what his policy directives will look like. A rigid class society, white supremacism, and neoliberalism are safe in his hands.
– he’s for permanent occupation of Iraq;
– America’s imperial agenda;
– militarism and foreign wars;
– new ones against Pakistan; possibly Iran as well;
– an enlarged military;
– more troops to Afghanistan;
– a new Cold War with Russia;
– in 2006, campaigned for Joe Lieberman against anti-war candidate Ned Lemont;
– opposes impeaching Bush and Cheney;
– in July 2005, backed reauthorizing the Patriot Act with its police state provisions;
– supports Homeland Security funding to enforce them;
– supports the death penalty;
– privatized in lieu of public education;
– is one-sidedly pro-Israel;
– opposes universal single-payer national health care;
– supports medical providers in wrongful injury cases;
– backs “free trade” and initiatives like NAFTA;
– the right of mining companies to strip mine everything;
– is unresponsive to labor;
– supports biofuels production, big agribusiness subsidies, and the industry’s rage to make all foods GMO;
– supports the Bush administration’s energy policy; its huge subsidies and other generous handouts;
– backs nuclear power, loose industry regulation, and multi-billions in subsidies;
– supports the Paulson bailout plan and the fraudsters that get it;
– backs repressive immigration legislation affecting people of color;
– is beholden to his corporate backers; and
– is committed to a pro-business agenda overall.
from these policy/vote observations, to the lackluster (and very nearly comedic) selection of the republican party’s election pairing, to background reports of these proposed cabinet members, it’s a particularly damning analysis of all early predictions. read the full article here.
it’s a disappointing situation to behold: once again, a radical change in policies is alluded to, and when the people of the country are so desperate for a break, any change is seen as a good change. too bad skin colour isn’t significant in terms of determining political policy. on the surface there appears to be significant change, but beyond the cover, this is a book we’ve all read before.
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